1st Electric Bill!! Woo Hoo! (Welcome, Star: apartments, insurance, appliances)

[AKR27540]

I knew things would be less expensive here than in the Philadelphia area but our first full month's (33 days to be exact) electric bill just arrived and it was only $93!! This is with an electric dryer, dishwasher, central A/C going nonstop the entire month, computers, TV's, and all the other things we use on a regular basis. I am so thrilled to be saving so much money. Our bill for last year at this time in PA was $267. I realize that you can't compare one home to another for energy costs unless they are the same size, etc. but this was such a pleasant surprise. Our house is just over 2000 SF with a two story family room which is, of course, not very energy efficient. It was however built well, IMHO, very solid and extremely quiet. I cannot hear anyone walking around upstairs when I'm in the MBR on the first floor and with the windows closed, the street traffic is not audible, either.

Just another reason why I'm loving it here more everyday!!

[James Taylor]

Originally Posted by AKR27540

I knew things would be less expensive here than in the Philadelphia area but our first full month's (33 days to be exact) electric bill just arrived and it was only $93!!

$93?!?

You really should consider being a little more conservative with the your electrical usage.

[welovedurham]

Heehee, yes, that is on the high end of our typical bill. You're going to love spring/fall when the heat/AC is not running. Welcome to NC!

[In & Out]

Originally Posted by AKR27540

I knew things would be less expensive here than in the Philadelphia area but our first full month's (33 days to be exact) electric bill just arrived and it was only $93!! This is with an electric dryer, dishwasher, central A/C going nonstop the entire month, computers, TV's, and all the other things we use on a regular basis. I am so thrilled to be saving so much money.

Just another reason why I'm loving it here more everyday!!

It is very cheap here for just about everything. Even with the recent increases, electric, gas, insurance, taxes, housing are all cheap cheap cheap. It's like falling into a pot of gold.

Of course being so cheap is not the only reason to live here, so I am glad you said "another" reason why you are loving it here more everyday. Enjoy the low cost of living and make sure you spend all the extra, to keep the economy truckin' along.

[mkal]

I live in a 2800 sq.ft house and my first month electricity bill is $44.58! I was paying more in my 2 bedroom apartment! :-)

[lovemaine]

Wow! You guys are good! We live in a 1800 sq. foot house. We keep the a/c at 78 degrees during the day and 80 degrees at night. We have an electric water heater and dryer. Our electric bills in the summer run around $140 to $150 per month. We just started on the budget plan a few months ago, and now pay $120 per month year-round.

[StoneOne]

I assume most of the discrepancy in the electric bills has to do with the quality of insulation and windows. Make those investments, and bills will be a lot less! Apartments are generally cheaply built, so cold air (in the summer) and warm air (in the winter) escape easily.

[MammaLakn]

Electricity is much cheaper down here compared to the Northeast.

If you loved your bill now, wait till April when its in the $40's.

We moved in to our new house in January. Our bill for the month of June has been our highest to date at $104. July will prob be around $150, with August the highest, but I doubt we'll see the $300 bills ppl have been telling me about.

We try to conserve as much as possible by using flourescant bulbs, HE Washer/Dryer pair etc, keep the a/c at 80 during the day/78 at night, Energy Star Appliances etc.

Our house is 2700 sq feet. I am a stay at home mom and with the price of gas, we hardly go anywhere, so our usage is obviously higher than working folks. Dh and I also both use our treadmill daily (since 8 wks ago). I have a feeling its quite heavy on electricity, sometimes it trips the garage switch when I switch it on.

We have a gas range and hot water heater, our last gas bill was $32.

[lovemaine]

Originally Posted by StoneOne

I assume most of the discrepancy in the electric bills has to do with the quality of insulation and windows. Make those investments, and bills will be a lot less! Apartments are generally cheaply built, so cold air (in the summer) and warm air (in the winter) escape easily.

Our house is actually well insulated. It's about 8 years old. I think part of the problem is that we don't have any shade trees around our house. Makes a huge difference....

[fanofyanks]

$93.00 wow that is amazing. I won't believe it till I see it lol. I am from Long Island and our monthly electric bill is $340.00 on a good month in a 1900 sqf home.